Current Child Count

Friday, July 24, 2009

200th post230th post 1 year blog anniversary giveaway!

Welcome to the 200th post230th post1 year blog anniversary giveaway!

First a note...

I had the first "Homes of Love" blog giveaway planned for the 200th post. Well, I make my plans but God is sovereign. The 200th post ended up being unfathomable, about our baby Joel passing into the Lord's presence on May 28.

About a month later I planned to do it again, perhaps for the 230th post? That's when scarlet fever broke out and became the 230th post asking for prayer covering. I mean seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up!

Last weekend I realized I was nearing one year of blogging, and since no calamity other than a stomach virus* has befallen us this week, here's the one year anniversary post...and my first blog giveaway!

*And believe me, up to 21 babies with it coming out both ends is something to write home about!! Read a hysterical post here on "vomitology" by blogging mother OCTAMOM. Because sometimes, all you can do is laugh!

I have been so blessed since "joining" the blog world on July 24, 2008. I've loved reading about neat people, how they raise their babies, train up and educate their children, what they do together as a family, and how they impact the world around them - whether they live in US suburbia or a far corner of the earth.

It helps me in several other ways, too. For one, as I am immersed day in and day out in the "Bolivian" way of caring for babies and raising children, it helps me remember how we do it in the US, keeping a high standard before me.

It gives me a taste of what life is like in the US, particularly for mothers of young children. I've commented on more than one of your blogs how fun it is to see the boutique clothing/accessory options you have! And don't even get me started on the cute, decorated nurseries....

I get so many ideas about taking good pictures of kids, or just about anything actually.

Some blogging mothers inspire me to eat healthy even with a busy life.

Those who have lost babies, have disabled children, understand the ups and downs of adopting - they, too, inspire me!

And I can't forget to mention: it's soothing to my soul to get a glimpse into happy, healthy families. I know the families I follow in "blog land" are not perfect, but they work through their problems and stick together, unlike the families we deal with on a daily basis. It's special to see how you love one another!

Oh, and of course it's a treat to read what's going on in the lives and missionaries of my friends in Bolivia and the states!

So with no further ado, as a thanks to those who read of our adventures here in Bolivia, here's the giveaway!

I love giving these aguayo fabric photo albums as gifts, with pictures inside. I'll also throw in the cute little pen of a girl dressed in traditional clothing.

How do you enter, you ask? The ways are many! Do any of these things and get an entry for each option:

~ leave a comment stating why you read this blog (the pictures? interested in life in a foreign land? adoption advocate? missionary wanna be? makes life with 2 kids seem easy?)

I read this blog because you are my friend. I also am extremely challenged by reading how you you run your homes. I get great ideas for our home. I love to read the way that you love the kids. You are just too cool!

Here's my first entry...I would LOVE to put your button on but haven't figured that out yet. First I need to switch to a format that has columns on both sides...anyhoo... I read your blog for several reasons: 1) God has placed a desire in my heart to help the fatherless-usually by helping those who are adopting. I'm not sure why He led me to you but we'll just wait and see. 2) God has also placed a desire in my heart to serve Him in another part of the world. How that will all play out is still unknown but I love reading about your boldness for now! Keep up the great work!

I found your blog via @ngie's...she was writing about you and your contest :) I am also a fellow missionary, over on the other side of the word, the Middle East. Kudos for all you do and the babies you love on!!! I would love to win one of your albums to be reminded of the work you do over there. :)

Hi. I read your blog because of Liz Lynch. She has a heart for these babies and the work you are doing in Cochabamba. I love seeing the pictures and hearing the stories, too, but it is because of Liz that I know about you.

I would love to be ministering to those overseas who don't have easy access to the Gospel, but for now, God has given me a mission field here at home. I read your blog to remind myself of the challenges missionaries face and encourage myself to be faithful in prayer for you and others.

Jennifer's Family Blog

Current Prayer Needs, updated August 14, 2015

~ The financial situation for Casa de Amor is uncertain at the moment. Funding seems to have slowed, so please pray for financial wisdom for all of us and for donations to generously come.

~ Please pray for the newly functioning local board of directors. They have some big decisions to be making and are seeking God's wisdom.

~ Thank you for praying for a new social worker! A very experienced one began work with us on February 2.

~ Please pray for good progress to be made in the social cases of all of our children so that their papers can be processed for a return to family members OR adoption. Several cases are in the works now!

Baby Joel

Baby Gabriela

CDA Child Sponsorship

Click HERE to find out more about sponsoring one of these beautiful children!

No Names

Due to the nature of our work, Hogar de Amor has a policy of not posting kids pictures AND names together on the internet or public places. How I wish I could, but I could easily have people from Belgium to Canada and everywhere in between writing and asking "How can I adopt [fill in the blank]?" (You can't! Yet! They're mine.) Or many other scenarios which are not good for the kids/homes, so sorry about that...

check out the book fundraiser

Faith Quilt is a special collection of blog posts on faith. Buy one today and support Casa de Amor!

Favorite Quotes

"Attempt something so impossible that unless God is in it, it is doomed to failure."

"We can do no great things; only small things with great love." Mother Teresa

“What we think or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do." John Ruskin

"I am only one,
but I AM ONE.
And I cannot do everything,
but I can do SOMETHING.
And what I can do I WILL DO.
And what I will do, I MUST DO,
For I AM ONE." Helen Keller

Donations

Small amounts go far in Bolivia! To donate to our children, make checks payable to "GOAL" (Global Orphan Assistance League) and mail to GOAL/Casa de Amor at P.O. Box 357, Collierville, TN, 38027. All donations are tax deductible in the US. Thank you!!

blog awards

Thanks, Debi!

Thanks, Adeye!

A lot of kiddos!!

Casa de Amor I, II, III, August 2008 Park Outing

"And Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them." Mark 10:16